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Monday, 4 February 2013

The Tumultuous Life of Jack La Rue

He would be known by contemporary film audiences as
a hard-hitting film gangster and often the second fiddle to greater stars
Humphrey Bogart, George Raft and Gary Cooper. In reality Jack La Rue’s life was
more colourful and controversial then a simple, one-dimensional supporting role.
Over his 81-years, he appeared in over 100 films, several Broadway productions,
had intense political ambitions, endured three hostile marriages and several public
run-ins with the police.

Jack La Rue was born Gaspere Biondolillo in New York
City, New York on May 3, 1902. His acting career began in the early 1920’s when
– after graduating from DeWitt Clinton High School – he was offered a role as
an extra while working as a piano tuner. He began trying to land more film
roles but soon discovered stage work was easier to find and debuted at the Empire
Theatre in 1921 in a production of “Blood and Sand”. La Rue followed this with
roles in stage plays “The Crooked Square” (1923), “Crime” (1927) and “Los
Angeles” (early-1928).

However, it was during the maiden run of Mae West’s
famous production “Diamond Lil” in April 1928 playing one of her lovers ‘Juarez’
that he was discovered by director Howard Hawkes and brought to Hollywood to
audition for the role of Rinaldo
in a film called “Scarface” (1932). The film, unfortunately, proved to be the movie
debut for George Raft who nabbed the role La Rue was vying for, mainly, because
Hawke concluded La Rue was too tall for the part. However, La Rue’s palpable screen
persona of the dark, cruel yet sexy gangster was becoming a popular film staple
and he began working steadily in supporting, often uncredited, roles as
henchmen and assistants to the gang leaders. These include films, such as, “Night
World” (1932) and “While Paris Sleeps” (1932).

His first break-through role was in the Gary Cooper,
Helen Hayes adaption of the Ernest Hemingway play, “A Farewell to Arms” (1932).
Although, it was only a small role La Rue diverted from playing his signature ‘bad-man’
type to perform the role of the priest. He was featured in a staggering 12
films during 1932, including notable movies, “Three on a Match”, “Virtue”, “I
Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang” and “Mouth Piece”.

His next big break and first starring role would
come the following year in Paramount’s controversial film, “The Story of Temple
Drake” (1933). An adaption of William Faulkner’s novel ‘Sanctuary’, George Raft
was originally scheduled to play the part of ‘Trigger’ but he refused and was
put on suspension. La Rue then promptly took over the role of the sadistic
bootlegger who rapes complicated socialite Temple Drake (Miriam Hopkins) while
she is resting in a barn connected to a mansion come speakeasy. He then abducts
her and forces her into prostitution until, frustrated and broken, she kills
him. The part was extremely demanding and shocking but allowed La Rue to extend
his acting skills and successfully carry a film.

Although, La Rue never received a role equalling the
notoriety and interest of his part in “Temple Drake”, his was not without work completing
countless other movies and television series until his last appearance in the
film, “Paesano: A Voice in the Night” (1977).

Jack La Rue’s personal life was more complex, public
and turbulent then his professional one. He was married three times. The first
was his longest union to socialite Connie Simpson which lasted from 1938 to
1946. The couple’s very public ups and downs culminated in even more flagrant divorce
proceedings when La Rue followed Simpson to Reno where he resisted arrest by
police who then claim he yelled,
“I’m the gangster you see in movies. I’m a tough guy.” It was shortly after the divorce that he was
caught in another scuffle with police. It was reported in 1946 that La Rue was
concussed during a fight at a Hollywood party allegedly involving Lawrence
Tierney, Diane Barrymore and a mannequin named Mona who was previously owned by
Errol Flynn.

It was a year later
that La Rue would make a more interesting decision running for a seat in the
Los Angeles City Council. He was quoted as commenting that a win would mean his
retirement from pictures; however, he was unsuccessful in his bid. In 1949, he
married again, to Austrian Baroness Violet Edith von Roseberg which lasted a brief
one month and 19 days. It was later annulled when La Rue testified that von
Roseberg only married him in order to become an American citizen. He was
married a third and last time to Anne Giordano from August 1962 to February
1967.

His acting career
was not exceptional nor was he a traditional star, but his persona, appearance
and acting-style were typically ‘Precode’ and La Rue, therefore, had a substantial
impact in creating that great era of film history. Jack La Rue died January 11,
1984 from a heart attack and is the father of actor Jack La Rue Jr.

He had an interesting role in the comedy/mystery of 1936, IT COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED (but it did). The movie starred Evelyn Brent, Reginald Denny, LaRue, Inez Courtney, et al. Inez Courtney, a pretty and humorous secretary steals the movie. LaRue's role was that of a gangster boss, Smiley Clark, with a sense of humor. He appears throughout the movie and fits his character like a glove. A young Hugh Marlowe (later to appear in TWELVE O:CLOCK HIGH (1949) starring Gregory Peck) has the role of a smitten stage actor. This is a very entertaining movie, one of my favorites.

THIS BLOG HAS SOME CORRECT MOSTLY INCORRECT. I KNOW MOST (NOT ALL)OF THEFACTS AS jACK lARUE WAS MY UNCLE. Chis N: Jack Larue had no ownership in LaRues on THE STRIP. His restaurant was on Ventura Blvd.

Welcome

So what is Precode?

Forgotten Star: Sari Maritza

I'm classic film crazy and have recently discovered the wonderful world of Precode Cinema. I'm sometimes a writer and sometimes other things. The Gods and Goddesses of this era radiate passion and life - they are completely modern and wonderful.